News

Government Body Goes From Conservation Partner to ‘Enforcer’

09 July 2014

US – Dairy farmers are hitting out at new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) water conservation guidelines which they say will perversely ‘discourage’ water conservation.

Officially dubbed the Interpretive Rule, the new guidelines change a long standing relationship between farmers and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), according to the National Milk Producers Federation.

A request was sent from the NMPF on Monday for the EPA to withdraw the guidelines, issued in March.

The NMPF warned that farmers must seek Clean Water Act permits for a long list of 'normal farming activities near wetlands'.

“Until now, NRCS has been the place producers could go for conservation advice, while EPA was charged with ensuring compliance with the Clean Water Act,” said Jamie Jonker, NMPF’s Vice President for Sustainability & Scientific Affairs.

“The cooperative relationship with NRCS made it more likely farmers would adopt water conservation practices.”

“Unfortunately the interpretive rule moves NRCS into an enforcement role and, in the process, could set back conservation efforts.”

He highlighted hay making as a practice now with greater environmental burdens.